Israel submits letter of complaint to UN on continuing rocket fire

In the wake of continuing rocket and mortar fire from Gaza at the communities in southern Israel, a letter of complaint was submitted to UN Secretary General and the President of the Security Council.

H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moonSecretary GeneralUnited Nations

Excellency,

I write to draw your attention to recent and alarming terrorist activities carried out against Israel emanating from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. These ongoing attacks not only hinder efforts to reach a stable and durable cease-fire, but they represent an ongoing threat to the peace and security of Israel, as well as the people of Gaza.

On 1 March 2009 alone, twelve Qassam rockets were fired at the Israeli city of Sderot from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. One of the rockets landed next to a private residence, causing property damage.

One day earlier, on 28 February 2009, one advanced Grad rocket hit a school in Ashkelon, destroying classrooms and spraying pieces of shrapnel in all directions. Two civilians were wounded in the attack. Had the school building not been closed for the Jewish Sabbath, there likely would have been many more casualties. As a result of this attack and the ongoing security threat, schools are closed and classes are suspended across Ashkelon which constitutes a humanitarian problem.

Prior to these and other attacks last week, since Israel declared a unilateral hold-fire on 18 Janaury 2009, there have been nearly 100 rocket and mortar attacks from the Gaza Strip. These attacks clearly demonstrate that Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups continue to undermine regional stability and seek to murder, injure, and terrorize Israeli civilians.

In response to these ongoing attacks, Israel has the inherent duty to exercise its right to self-defense enshrined in article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The government of Israel will continue to safeguard the security of its citizens and will ensure that the situation in southern Israel does not return to the status quo ante of December 2008. Israel will not tolerate, and will respond accordingly to attacks against its citizens.

I should be grateful if you would have this letter distributed as an official document of the Security Council. An identical letter has been sent to H.E. Mr. Ibrahim O.A. Dabbashi, President of the Security Council.

Allow me, Excellency, to renew to you the assurances of my highest consideration.